2016-05-19Staff Report 2 Ongwediva No fewer than 324 erven earmarked for middle- to low-income earners are currently being serviced by Ongwediva Town Council in its quest to improve housing delivery and reduce the housing backlog at the town. The town is experiencing a major housing shortage, with more than 3 000 applicants on the waiting list since 2007. Spokesperson for Ongwediva Town Council Jackson Muma said council is currently servicing residential plots at Efidi Proper, and the process should be completed by the end of the year. Water and sewerage infrastucture has already been installed, while the construction of roads is currently underway. Electricity planning is also in full swing. By the end of the year all basic services would be in place, Muma said. He said council is determined to make more land available to its residents, as per its statutory obligation. Additionally, close to 141 erven are soon to be allocated in the Benjamin Shiteni area. Council wants Omatando to be a fully established township by the end of the 2016/17 financial year. Muma says formalisation of the area is already in process and an aerial map for the area has already been obtained. He noted that council has also embarked on the continuous registration of land occupants, who already occupy makeshift structures at Omatando. A significant number of residents has already been registered. Council is thus urging applicants to provide the required documents when council officials visit their residence. “We urge applicants to provide proof of occupation right, identity documents and a police declaration during the registration process,” said Muma. Follow-up public meetings are scheduled to take place soon. The exact dates and venues will be communicated at a later stage, he said. 2016-05-19Staff Report 2
